Christian lobby groups push major parties to support unamended religious discrimination bill

The Coalition must commit to passing the religious discrimination bill and Labor must resist ‘strong temptation’ to change the legislation, a spokesperson for Christian lobby group FamilyVoice says. Photograph: Manusapon Kasosod/Getty Images

Christian lobby groups are pressing both major parties to recommit to the unamended religious discrimination bill as Labor guarantees to extend the chaplaincy program with a secular choice for schools.

Guardian Australia understands Labor has told FamilyVoice it has “consistently supported” the $61m-a-year chaplaincy program but will move to give schools the option of a secular pastoral care worker.